Short reviews of what’s in theaters

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New releases

★★ Cesar Chavez Diego Luna’s portrait of the charismatic leader of the United Farm Workers checks off some of his accomplishments but captures none of the passion that inspired a powerless group to overcome the powers that be. With its listless narrative and bland performances it is not likely to stimulate similar commitment today, at a time when it’s needed most. In English and Spanish, with subtitles. (101 min., PG-13) (Peter Keough)

★★★½ Ernest & Celestine An Oscar nominee and winner of France’s César for best animated film, this tale of a misfit bear and an artistic mouse finding companionship and love is a Gallic delight. It’s touching, funny, and almost magically beautiful to look at. And, like bears, it has bite. Dubbed or in French with subtitles; check screening times. (80 min., PG) (Ty Burr)

★★★½ Le Week-End Director Roger Michell and screenwriter Hanif Kereishi resuscitate the familiar story of longtime spouses seeking to jump-start their marriage by going on a romantic holiday. With funny and affecting performances by Lindsay Duncan and Jim Broadbent, this dark comedy about a disastrous 30th-anniversary weekend in Paris gets a jolt from Jeff Goldblum as a surprise visitor from the past. (93 min., R) (Peter Keough)

★★½ Noah Equal parts ridiculous and magnificent, Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic elaborates on the Book of Genesis with subplots, additional characters, Russell Crowe as a fearsome patriarch, and computer-generated effects that would have Cecil B. DeMille drooling. The parts of “Noah” that don’t work really, truly don’t. But the parts that do almost sweep you away in the flood. (138 min., PG-13) (Ty Burr)

★½ Sabotage The new Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle — he plays the grizzled leader of a team of DEA bad boys — is stupid, sadistic, misogynistic, confusing, and more than a little ridiculous. Here’s the thing, though: It keeps you watching, if only to see how tortured the plot or characters are going to get. Is “entertainingly awful” a recommendation? (110 min., R) (Ty Burr)